Process, control program, treatment planning system and control system, and dose measuring system for brachytherapy

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for brachytherapy by using a dose measuring system, wherein, in at least one point of an area subjected to radiation treatment, the individual radiation dose contribution from at least one dwell position of at least one radiation source is measured in real time, the thus obtained measured dose value is compared with the corresponding value calculated by a treatment planning system, and the further course of the treatment is adapted on the basis of the degree of agreement between the measured value and the calculated value. Furthermore, the invention relates to a control program, a treatment control system, a treatment planning system and a dose measuring system.

1. A process for brachytherapy using a dose measuring system and treatment planning system, said process comprising:
 subjecting at least one point of an area to radiation treatment by positioning at least one radiation source at a plurality of dwell positions, each for an individual dwell time; 
 measuring the individual radiation dose contribution from at least one dwell position of said at least one radiation source in real time; 
 comparing the obtained measured dose value with a corresponding value calculated by a treatment planning system; and 
 adapting a further course of treatment on the basis of a degree of agreement between said measured value and said calculated value; 
 wherein several individual dose contributions from several dwell positions, each with corresponding dwell times are measured in real time for several channels. 
 
   
   
     2. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the process is used in one of (a) a high dose rate afterloading brachytherapy, and (b) a pulse low dose rate afterloading brachytherapy. 
   
   
     3. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said measuring of said dose contribution is accomplished in an actual tissue being treated. 
   
   
     4. The process according to  claim 3 , wherein said tissue is a prostate gland. 
   
   
     5. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said measuring of said individual dose contribution uses an instant dose read out dosimeter system, with a probe inserted in said at least one point in said area subjected to treatment. 
   
   
     6. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein calculated dose values are individually stored and transferred to a treatment control program and are compared step by step with said measured dose values.